Baby blood poisoning at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge as contaminated drip sent to six hospitals linked to death of newborn

A baby has died from blood poisoning after contracting an infection believed to be from a contaminated drip administered to them in hospital, health officials have said

A total of 15 babies in six hospitals across England have developed septicaemia after being infected with the bacteria known as Bacillus cereus, Public Health England said – including at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

PHE said that the cases have been “strongly linked” with a number of batches of a particular form of intravenous liquid called parenteral nutrition, which was given to the babies.

The liquid, manufactured by ITH Pharma Limited, is supposed to deliver a variety of nutrients intravenously when a baby is unable to eat on their own.

A PHE spokeswoman said that investigations with the company have identified “an incident that might have caused the contamination”.

The affected babies were in neonatal intensive care units at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, as well as three London-based NHS organisations – Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and The Whittington Hospital.

But officials have not confirmed which unit was treating the baby who died.

“Many of the babies were premature and very vulnerable and one baby has sadly died but the others are responding to antibiotic treatment,” the spokeswoman said.

She said that PHE and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the issue.

The manufacturer has issued a recall and the MHRA has issued an alert to draw attention to the product recall.

“This is a very unfortunate incident and PHE have been working closely with the MHRA to investigate how these babies could have become infected,” PHE’s incident director, Professor Mike Catchpole, said.

A statement issued by Addenbrooke’s Hospital said: “Public Health England has been investigating a small number of cases of infections on neonatal units within six UK hospitals, including CUH Addenbrooke’s. The infections were traced back to a feeding substance which has now been withdrawn.

“All the babies concerned are being treated and have responded well. Public Health England believes the outbreak is now controlled but will be following up to make sure there is no further risk.